manga artist Kirito

"Well, I haven't finished reading it yet. Let me finish reading it first."

"Alright then." Kirito nodded, then picked up the book and continued reading. Actually, when Suguha spoke, Kirito was a little nervous. After all, no one knew if Suguha would suddenly ask him which faction he was on... If he said the wrong thing, the consequences might be serious.

Although the large living room was quiet, it had a somewhat cozy feel. It was around 10:30 PM when Kirito finished reading the second volume of "Love Metronome" D. To be honest, compared to the refreshing feeling of the first volume, the second volume felt like the creator had lost their passion for writing. The manuscript seemed to be forced out like toothpaste, with many parts feeling stiff and abrupt.

Of course, perhaps this is setting the stage for the third volume, so even after marking numerous places, Kirito patiently prepared to read it. After all, it almost got canceled, yet still sold 30 copies; surely some readers have noticed something?

If it's really not true, then Kirito truly doesn't know why this work is still alive.

But it was getting late, so Suguha yawned and said goodnight to Kirito before going back to her room. After the door closed, Kirito could still hear sounds coming from inside, like someone jumping onto the bed with a loud 'thump'.

"He seems quite energetic."

Kirito turned and went back to his study, but instead of immediately reading the third volume of "Love Metronome," he took out the first and second volumes, which he had finished reading that afternoon, and placed them together. He then flipped through the pages with sticky notes attached, and began to find the contact information for each volume one by one...

"There are still quite a few problems..."

Kirito lazily yawned, then pulled his phone out of his pocket and opened a messaging app.

He was about to chat with someone, but before he could even look through his contacts, he saw a new message.

[Wait for me at home tomorrow at noon...]

I watched another video on your site, it seemed to be a pure love scene from Student Council Delusion... I really, really want to see it! Has anyone written about it?

041

[NO.40 What a good older brother should do]

next day

Kirito got up early from the sofa in his study, intending to make his dear sister a long-awaited breakfast. However, to his surprise, Suguha was up much earlier than him. As a result, Kirito's decent egg dish still didn't see the light of day.

It was a quiet and relaxing breakfast time. Afterwards, Kirito took advantage of the early hour and went out for a walk with Suguha. They strolled around the area and bought a few things that Suguha liked... such as dolls.

However, although Suguha looked happy, her mood didn't seem as cheerful as when she received the giant panda yesterday...?

Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have given away the second plush toy so soon... I guess that's right? I do like fluffy plush toys, but I just got the panda plush toy, and I received a second one the very next day... it feels...

Well, let's not even talk about Leafa. Even Kirito himself felt something was off. If he had to put it into words, he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Anyway, that's how it was...

What happened next became rather strange. For no apparent reason, the rabbit doll that Kirito gave to Suguha was returned to her by Suguha. According to Suguha, she was going back to the dojo that afternoon and couldn't take so many with her.

Kirito had no choice but to accept the doll, which he had bought but could say was a gift from his sister... Hmm, I think this doll is worth keeping as a keepsake. Although it seems that Yoko has been planning to raise me as a useless person since I was little, this is probably the first gift she has given me...

Yes, a real gift! It's decided!

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but it seems a bit tragic...

time flies……

The morning passed quickly. Kirito had packed Suguha's things early on, but Suguha didn't bring any of them. Apart from the giant panda that Suguha seemed to value highly, she didn't bring anything else and went to the station.

"It's too much trouble to bring things back and forth. Anyway, I'll come again when I have a holiday." Suguha didn't seem to mind the heat. She had a smile on her face and was holding the giant panda tightly with both hands. She smiled sweetly.

"Or does brother think that Yezi's things are taking up space at home? Hmm, it can't be that he doesn't welcome Yezi, can it?"

"...Don't say things like that!" Kirito rolled his eyes. You know where I live, and you even took the spare key that Ryunosuke had and made a new one. It's not like I can stop you.

"If those Chiba people who just came back from Germany heard this, they might start a fight with me."

“…Ichimikaga nai.” Suguha looked at Kirito with a blank expression, completely unaware of what her brother meant by what he just said.

"Don't focus all your attention on kendo anymore. Make sure you get plenty of rest." Kirito sighed helplessly. It seemed that Yoko hadn't seen the news, but it was definitely better not to have seen it than not to have seen it.

"Come over when you have time... um, I'll go home when summer vacation starts."

"Then it's settled!" With her eyes slightly narrowed and curved into crescent shapes, Suguha casually put the giant panda at her feet and then threw herself into Kirito's arms.

Feeling the softness against his chest, a softness far surpassing that of his thighs, Kirito immediately realized it was a sensation that could bring happiness and excitement... cough, followed by a pleasant fragrance, perhaps the legendary body odor.

"What's wrong? Are you really that reluctant to part with your older brother?" Kirito leaned down slightly, pressing his face against Suguha's pretty cheek, and gently ruffled her hair, smiling indulgently. It seemed that Suguha, in her normal state, was still as clingy as ever.

"Mmm! Onii-chan..." Nodding slightly, Suguha hugged Kirito a little tighter, her tone changing slightly.

"what happened?"

"...I like you the most!"

"Yes, I like leaves too."

"...Well then, brother, I'm leaving." With a sudden release of her hands and a light smile on her face, Suguha picked up the giant panda that had fallen to the ground and quickly walked into the tram whose doors were already open.

"Goodbye, remember to call me before you come next time so I can pick you up."

"Uh-huh."

"Really..." Kirito tilted his head, watching the train disappear into the distance, but then scratched his head again, as if he couldn't figure something out. Finally, Kirito said something that completely ruined the atmosphere.

"...Developing well, and there's clearly still room for growth...Is it going to reach G? Yezi, Yezi, don't drink too much papaya milk anymore, because the effect is just too good..."

Come to think of it, the reason why Suguha likes to drink papaya milk might also be because of me, right?

I remember telling my female classmates at the dojo when I was little that if we wanted to grow up faster, we should drink more papaya milk... No, no, it should be because Suguha's genes are too excellent!

With these random thoughts running through his mind, Kirito turned and walked out of the station. He had to go out again today. He didn't know what it was about, but he felt like he had become busier lately. Was it just his imagination?

Looking at the time, it was already past midnight. Kirito quickened his pace and soon returned to the apartment. As he opened the door and went inside, he saw Asuna walking briskly towards him before he could even take off his shoes.

Asuna's outfit today was quite eye-catching, giving off an air of a young lady from a wealthy family. However, Asuna's expression was slightly displeased.

Hmm, the dark circles under her eyes are gone, it looks like she's had a good rest.

"Uh, I just took Yezi to the station... I was in a rush?"

"Yoko?" Asuna's displeasure vanished, replaced by surprise. "When did Yoko arrive? I had no idea."

“You were still working on your manuscript yesterday, how could you possibly know?” Kirito shrugged. “Yoko came on Friday. I took her out for a walk yesterday and just dropped her off at the station.”

"That was sudden... but there's no time to say more now." Asuna pursed her lips but didn't say anything more. Then she grabbed Kirito's arm and headed towards the room.

"Hurry up and change your clothes. We can talk about this later."

"Changing clothes... Are you really going out? Where are you going? To your house?"

"If you want to get beaten up by my brother, you can come to my house another day... But my brother really doesn't like you."

How could he possibly like you? You're already my girlfriend. As a responsible older brother, it's already a miracle that he doesn't wait for me at the school gate every day.

"Well, I completely understand your brother's feelings. So, where are we going next?"

"He City..."

I initially thought it wasn't necessary, but... well, have you guys forgotten that Suguha didn't lose both her parents? It's not strange that Kirito calls Suguha's parents "Dad" and "Mom," is it? By the way, Kirito and Hachiman's relationship was because they were too young back then. I thought you could understand... but we've already revised the previous points.

If you have any further questions, please let me know. As a newbie, there are still many things I don't understand, and I hope you can guide me in the future.

By the way, the cover review process on Bookke... is embarrassing!

042

[NO.41 That person is definitely not normal]

"A book signing?"

On the train to Heishi, Kirito tugged at his slightly tight tie, turned to look at Asuna who was still smiling, and asked with a somewhat strange expression.

"When you used to say you wanted to hold a book signing event, didn't you always try to postpone it?"

"...It's precisely because this has never been held before that it couldn't be postponed this time, and besides, this is the release of the last volume of the previous book..."

"I see... That's really slow, even though you've already finished writing the first volume of the new book."

Asuna has refused several offers to hold autograph sessions. At first, she cited being a student and not wanting too many people to know her. But now that she has finished her second book and her new book is ready, holding an autograph session would be a good way to promote the new book. However, there aren't many authors like Asuna who refuse to hold autograph sessions multiple times. After all, autograph sessions not only bring idols and fans closer, but they are also a very important way to promote an author.

However, book signing events are also very troublesome.

Creators with a bit more fame, when holding autograph sessions, not to mention signing autographs until their hands cramp, answering fan questions until they feel like throwing up, and shaking hands with every single fan, etc.

Wait a minute, don't underestimate this simple handshake. If it were a book signing event hosted by the author, the number of attendees might rival the Spring Festival travel rush in that other country. Shaking hands with 10,000 otaku a day would be a piece of cake.

If that famous author were a young girl, it would be even more unbearable. Being forced to shake hands with countless fans, even if she was unwilling, she still had to force a smile... It's simply absurd!

"Although I really didn't want to participate, for the sake of promoting the new book... well, I can't let the subject matter you gave me go to waste." Asuna smiled calmly, seemingly not worried at all about whether the book signing would be troublesome.

"But, shaking hands with so many otaku and stuff..." Kirito's expression changed slightly. Thinking about a certain large idol convention, where young girls shook hands with countless fans... he'd probably have to wash his hands with ten tons of water later.

"Isn't it because you're here?" Asuna smiled slightly. "I invited you to this autograph session not only because I'm behind on my manuscript and worried that older single woman will cause me trouble, so I wanted you to come and blind her, but also so that you could shake hands with the fans for me at the autograph session... Hmm, if possible, I'd even like you to sign autographs for me."

"It's fine to show off your love, but you need me to help you shake hands... Asuna, will I have to feed you from now on?" Kirito's lips twitched. He really couldn't imagine what it would be like to have a handshake relationship with so many people.

However, considering that so many fans come to the autograph session hoping to get up close and personal with their idols, the fact that they won't even shake hands will probably disappoint many.

"Is it too much trouble for you to feed me?" Asuna puffed out her cheeks, looking slightly displeased, but quickly turned into a smile. "Just kidding! I just don't have much experience with autograph sessions, so I brought along the more experienced and talented manga artist Fujiwara Koshi to keep things in order for me! Hmm, a pretty good reason, right?"

"Yes, yes, that's a great reason!" Kirito nodded in agreement and continued, "But things still came a bit suddenly, didn't they? Were you prepared?"

"Of course, although I didn't tell you beforehand, I received the notification last week, so don't worry!" Asuna smiled and hugged Kirito's hand. It was indeed the first time holding a signing event, but she heard that it would only involve signing autographs and doing some Q&A with fans. Besides, Asuna is the daughter of a big company and occasionally helps out at the company, so there's no need to worry about the autographs.

"Well, as long as you think it's okay." Kirito nodded. Actually, he didn't know much about this. Even though he had attended some exhibitions held by Akane in Kousaka in the early days, he mostly just sat in his seat and spaced out. If someone came over, he would answer a few questions, but otherwise he would just sit there doing nothing.

Next, let's chat about some interesting things that have happened recently, such as the school's art genius who is actually a fairly famous erotic artist, a classmate with an extremely low profile, and Ryunosuke still having the unrealistic fantasy of giving his maid a physical body.

Well, it's not entirely unrealistic. If we could create a robot and import Maid-chan's AI into it, it might actually work. But, the world's technology is far from advanced enough to reach that level.

Asuna then revealed to Kirito that she would soon be moving out of her family home and renting an apartment in the same building where Kirito lived. Apparently, a relative's child was transferring to their school, and Kirito was planning to teach the child some things related to manga...

At first, Kirito was happy to hear the news, thinking that Asuna would live with him, but he didn't expect that she would rent a house next door...

The huge sense of loss made Kirito realize that he wasn't in a good mood when the train arrived at the station.

"The person you're talking about, could it be the famous painter you mentioned before?"

"Yes, it's definitely her."

"...Did that person put their brain on the railway tracks and get hit by two trains?" Kirito looked at Asuna strangely. "Why give up being a painter and become a manga artist... If their brain wasn't hit by a train, then they must have gone too far with their hobby."

"...That's not what you said last time." Asuna raised her pretty eyebrows slightly. It was a bit much to suddenly say that someone's brain wasn't working properly.

"A hobby is a hobby, but you can't confuse it with a profession." Kirito shrugged. "For me, erotic art is just a hobby, but being a manga artist is the profession I've chosen! Besides, just because you can draw doesn't mean you can draw well!"

"Maybe she's chosen to be a manga artist!" Asuna tugged at Kirito's arm and hurried towards Shinazugawa Bookstore. "Besides, since she has a talent for drawing, manga might not be too difficult for her!"

"You're crazy!" Kirito rolled his eyes. A famous painter could easily launch an exhibition with just one painting. Instead of taking that path, he chose to pursue the path of manga, and now he has to deal with so-called deadlines... But being this person's editor must feel amazing!

Even the most famous painters, and even business tycoons, might not dare to yell at others. But as the editor in charge of that person, I'll urge you to submit your manuscript as needed, and I'll lock you up in the dark if necessary!

In short, this person is definitely not normal!

043

【NO.42 Autograph Session】

"Wow, there are so many people..." Kirito rubbed his forehead as he looked at the long queue that had already formed not far away. "I can already foresee Asuna getting sick of signing autographs..."

“…It’s just an autograph.” Asuna tilted her head, but she still looked a little troubled, since there were just too many people.

"Alas?"

"what happened?"

"Nothing, just saw two classmates." Kirito pointed to two people at the end of the line heading towards Shinazugawa Bookstore. One of them looked very suspicious. Despite the hot weather, he was wrapped up like a dumpling and wore a pair of large black-rimmed glasses. He looked a little impatient, but Kirito recognized the person who looked like a murderer who had just committed a crime at a glance—Eriri!

However, Kirito was more curious about the girl walking expressionlessly next to Eriri. Although Eriri's presence was indeed very low, Eriri was so conspicuous that it naturally made Kato Megumi, who had a low presence, also stand out.

These two seem to have never interacted before, so their sudden appearance together is quite strange!

If I were to go up and greet her now, Eriri would probably react like a cat with its fur standing on end.

"Should we go up and say hello?" Asuna followed Kirito's gaze and immediately noticed the two girls who looked very out of place... She felt that the situation was rather strange.

"No need, we should meet soon." Kirito smiled. Not many people probably know that Eriri is a closet otaku. After all, even at the CM convention, it wasn't her selling doujinshi at the stall, but a middle-aged couple... uh, could it be her parents?

Regardless, Eriri's disguised appearance here is most likely for a book signing event. As for Kato Megumi... has she been proselytized by Eriri?

"Let's go then." Asuna took Kirito's hand and walked into the coffee shop next door, where they met the editor who had arrived much earlier than her.

"Oh my, Mr. Kamishiratawa, you've finally arrived. I thought you were going to delay your manuscript and drag a pigeon along with you... Uh, and who is this?" Asuna's editor, Tojo Nancy, greeted him sarcastically, then turned her gaze with interest to Kirito standing next to Asuna.

"Hello, I'm Kirito. Of course, you can also call me Fujiwara Echizen. Thank you for your help, Asuna." Kirito smiled and shook hands with Nancy.

"Oh~ So you're the Fujiwara-sensei that Kamishirasawa-sensei often talks about. It's been a long time since I've heard of you. I'm Tojo Nancy, Kamishirasawa-sensei's editor. You can just call me Nancy. I really didn't expect that Kamishirasawa-sensei had prepared this seat for you, Fujiwara-sensei." With a forced smile, Nancy naturally knew Kirito's identity and knew that Asuna had a boyfriend named Kiritani Kazuto, but she just didn't expect him to be an erotic artist.

However, these were not Nancy's main concerns. The main concern was that, as you know, older single women are most likely to be hurt by displays of affection and public displays of affection. The significance of Asuna bringing Kirito along while standing by with a smile was already self-evident.

Oh my god!!!

"...I didn't expect Asuna to suddenly hold a signing event either." Kirito shrugged helplessly.